Africa’s Second-hand Clothing Market: Blessing or Burden? An In-depth Analysis of Five Countries
Author: Dr Joseph Feyertag, Independent Development Economist Abstract This article presents a detailed study on the second-hand clothing (SHC) sector in Africa, focusing on its employment creation, economic impact, and related aspects. The research, which covers five African countries — Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia — demonstrates that the SHC sector is a significant contributor to employment and economic development in the region. Through qualitative and quantitative analyses, the study reveals the structure of the SHC labour force, the relationship between SHC imports and textile manufacturing, and the potential for future growth and improvement in the sector. 1. Introduction The SHC sector in Africa plays a crucial role in providing accessible and affordable clothing to a large portion of the population. It also serves as an important source of employment and revenue for many countries. However, the full extent of its impact on the economy and society h...